Non-rectangular pixel array and display device having same

ABSTRACT

There is provided a display area made up of a pixel array with a non-rectangular shaped outer circumference and the pixel array is made up of a plurality of non-rectangular pixels wherein a first conductor line group including a plurality of first conductor lines and a second conductor line group including a plurality of second conductor lines, and a third conductor line group including a plurality of third conductor lines are arranged so as to intersect with one another. Thus, without sacrificing brightness, viewability, and fidelity of an image, pixel array (display device) with the non-rectangular outer circumferential shape being excellent in design characteristics is realized.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/463,712 filed May 11, 2009, (published) which claims priority toJapanese Patent Application Nos. 2008-124113, filed on May 11, 2008 andJapanese Patent Application No. 2009-114790, filed on May 11, 2009, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein in its entirely byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a non-rectangular pixel array and anon-rectangular display device made up of the pixel array and moreparticularly to the pixel array having a non-rectangular outercircumferential shape and the non-rectangular display device made up ofthe pixel array with outer circumferential portion of which has a shapeof a smoothly curved line.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, due to extension of applications associated withprogress of miniaturization, thinning, light-weighting of a displaydevice, demands for commercialization of such a display device made upof a pixel array (hereinafter, may be referred to as a display area)having a non-rectangular outer shape are increasing. Display devices ofthis kind are disclosed, for example, in Patent References 1 and 2(Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005-528644 and2005-529368, respectively). FIG. 45 shows configurations of the displaydevice stated in the Patent Reference 1. The display device, as shown inFIG. 45, is mainly made up of a pixel array 40 having a non-rectangularouter shape, row driver circuits 41, 41, . . . divided into at leastthree portions, and column driver circuits 42, 42, . . . divided into atleast three portions. The row driver circuits 41, 41, . . . and thecolumn driver circuits 42, 42, . . . are alternately arranged along thecircumference of the pixel array 40, and each pixel is addressed by therow driver circuits 41, 41, . . . and column driver circuits 42, 42, . .. each connected to a corresponding row conductor line and acorresponding column conductor line. By configuring as above, controlfor display/non-display even on the pixel array 40 forming a complicatedouter shape can be exerted. However, in the Patent Reference 1, a shapeof each pixel making up the pixel array is not described clearly. In thedisplay device shown in the Patent Reference 1, as shown in FIG. 45, therow conductor line and column conductor line are alternately arranged inan orthogonal manner and, therefore, it is natural to assume that eachpixel has a rectangular shape. (though a pixel electrode itself is notalways rectangular, it is thought that, at least, a minimum patternmaking up one pixel unit is rectangular).

According to the technology disclosed in the Patent Reference 1, aposition of a shift point to be set on an outer circumferential portionhaving odd shapes of the pixel array 40, between the row driver circuit41 and column driver circuit 42, which are adjacent to each other, isspecified as follows. First, contact positions 43, 43, . . . (shown asblack circles in FIG. 45) on an outer circumference where a tangent lineto an outer circumferential portion having an odd shape of the pixelarray is parallel to the row conductor line or column conductor line,are checked and these contact positions 43, 43, . . . are specified asthe positions of the shift points. These contact positions 43, 43, . . .exist on an extruded portion on the outer circumference or at the mostbackward portion of a convex portion on the outer circumference. Next,if positions on the outer circumference positioned opposite, along therow line or column line, to these contact positions 43, 43, . . . arenot specified yet as set positions of the shift points, these points arespecified as positions 44, 44, . . . (shown as white circles in FIG. 45)of the shift points. When the row driver circuits 41, 41, . . . dividedinto a plurality of portions and the column driver circuits 42, 42, . .. divided into a plurality of portions are arranged according to thespecification of all shift points, in a given pixel making up the pixelarray 40, one end of the row contactor line is connected to the rowdriver circuit 41 and another end of the column contactor line ispositioned in a manner to straightly face the column driver circuit 42.Similarly, in a given pixel, one end of the corresponding column contactline is connected to the column driver circuits 42 and another end ofthe column contactor line is positioned in a manner to face straightlythe column driver circuit 42. Moreover, the display device is soconfigured that a carry signal is transmitted to a next column drivercircuit 42 at an end of the divided column driver 42.

FIG. 46 shows a display device disclosed in the Patent Reference 2. Thedisplay device, as shown in FIG. 46, is made up of an octagonal pixelarray 48 having a plurality of pixels 47, 47, . . . in which row pixels45, 45, . . . intersecting at right angles and column pixels 46, 46, . .. are arranged. The row driver circuits 52 and column driver circuits53, as shown in FIG. 46, are mounted at a highest corner on an outercircumference of the octagonal pixel array 48. Each of the pixels 47,47, . . . making up the pixel array 48, as shown in FIG. 46, has arectangular shape and is associated, in a one-to-one relationship, witheach of intersections 51, 51, . . . of the first address designatingconductors 49, 49, . . . and the second address designating conductors50, 50, . . . making up a lattice, as a whole, and is uniquely addressedby one pair of the first address designating conductors 49 and secondaddress designating conductors 50.

In display device, as shown in FIG. 46, the first address designatingconductors 49, 49, . . . and the second address designating conductors50, 50, . . . are arranged slantingly relative to the row and column ofthe rectangular pixels 47, 47, . . . and in a manner to be intersecteddiagonally with one another. By configuring as above, the row and columnof the rectangular pixels 47, 47, . . . can be separated from the firstaddress designating conductors 49, 49, . . . and the second addressdesignating conductors 50, 50, . . . which enables freedom of positionsetting of the drive circuits to be obtained. Owing to the freedom,space can be saved so that conditions for product designing aresatisfied. For example, as shown in FIG. 46, side space required on eachside of a display area (pixel array 48) can be reduced, which enables adisplay area occupying region to be sufficiently increased and goodcentering to be achieved.

In the non-rectangular display device, it is desirous that thecircumferential contour of the display area (pixel array) has a smoothand gentle shape (for example, closed curve). However, as describedabove, the conventional display devices stated in the Patent References1 and 2 have disadvantages that, though the display area (pixel arrays40 and 48) is non-rectangular, each rectangular pixel 47 making up thedisplay area is rectangular and, therefore, a region occurs in which nomatching between the rectangular pixel 47 and non-rectangular outercircumferential contour is realized. That is, in the configurations ofthe conventional display device, as shown in FIGS. 47 and 48, in thecurved region (or slanted region) 54 out of the outer circumferentialportions, a plurality of pixels 47, 47, . . . is arranged in a stepwisemanner and, as a result, the display area having a smooth and gentlecontour shape cannot be obtained, which gives uncomfortable jaggies toviewers, causing a loss of attractive appearance and unfavorabledesigning.

Also, the display devices disclosed in the Patent References 1 and 2have another problem in that, when a given slant line or curved patternincluding an outer circumferential contour of a shape is to bedisplayed, more specifically, an equal distance line pattern (due tomimicking of a contour line on a map, such a pattern is referenced to asa contour line like shape or figure) obtained by performing linkingbetween positions, by a specific equal distance, far from a patternsimilar to an outer circumference of a display area or from an outercircumferential contour or the like is to be displayed, since aplurality of rectangular pixels is selected and controlled in a stepwisemanner, as shown in FIG. 48, a slant figure or curved FIG. 55 a isvisually recognized by a viewer as the pattern having uncomfortablejaggies and distortion, which is not preferable in terms of displayquality.

In addition, the color display device having the rectangular displayarea (in the example, display area having the same as in FIG. 48) shownin FIG. 49 also has a problem in that a region occurs in which aspecified color only is enhanced in an outer circumferential curvedportion of a display area or in an outer shape line portion of a displaypattern, which is recognized as irregular color or a like. In the colordisplay device, each pixel 57, as shown in FIG. 49, is made up of threekinds of color pixels (color segment) including a rectangular red pixel(red segment) 57 r having a red color filter, a rectangular green pixel(green segment) 57 g having a green color filter, and a rectangular bluepixel (blue segment) 57 b having a blue color filter, and is configuredto form a rectangular pixel unit. The color pixels of three kinds areformed in a stripe form, as a whole.

In the color display device, when a contour line like shape 55 beingsimilar to an outer circumferential contour of a display area isdisplayed in white with the priority being given to its shape, as shownin FIG. 49, the pixel region appears in which only the green pixel 57 gand blue pixel 57 b are displayed and no red pixel is displayed (regionsindicated by circular marks in FIG. 49). In the pixel regioncorresponding to an outer shape curved portion of a display pattern, nowhite is observed sporadically and cyan (jagged color spreading)obtained by mixing blue and green is observed, which is not preferablein terms of display quality. In order to solve this problem, white isdisplayed by necessarily using the red pixel 57 r, green pixel 57 g, andblue pixel 57 b making up the pixel 57 (that is, with the priority givento a hue). However, a problem arises that, by displaying in white withthe priority given to a hue, irregular colors disappear, while a corneroccurs in three color pixels and jaggies increase in the display areaand display pattern which, in this case, are uncomfortable.

In addition, another problem arises that, the display device having anextremely odd shape in which a hollow portion or through hole exists inthe display area, out of the non-rectangular display devices, can not berealized by configurations disclosed in the Patent References 1 and 2.

Further, the display device stated in the Patent Reference 2 also has adisadvantage in that, as shown in FIG. 46, each of the first addressdesignating conductors 49, 49, . . . and each of the second addressdesignating conductors 50, 50, . . . pass slantingly through an apertureof each of the rectangular pixels 47, 47, . . . resulting in partialblocking of the aperture, thus causing a decrease in an aperture rate.The display device still further has a disadvantage that the positionsin which the first address designating conductors 49, 49, . . . andsecond address designating conductors 50, 50, . . . intersect with eachother in the rectangular pixels 47, 47, . . . differ for everyrectangular pixel 47 and, as a result, an arrangement of the switchingelements mounted in a one to one relationship at the intersection regionor its vicinity area differ for every rectangular pixel 47, which makesdesigning of the display device be extremely difficult. As is describedabove, the arrangement of the switching elements is not equal and,therefore, the places where a failure or the like occurs are different,which makes the inspection to be complicated and makes it difficult tomanufacture the display device having an equal quality.

The display device stated in the Patent Reference 2 has anotherdisadvantage that the rectangular pixels 47, 47, . . . , first addressdesignating conductors 49, 49, . . . , and second address designatingconductors 50, 50, . . . arranged in directions being different from oneanother at pitches different from one another and, therefore, a moiré(coarse interference fringe) of this kind occurring structurally appearsprincipally by overlapping of a design changing regularly and the moirécannot be deleted by a simple means which is troublesome. By adjustingthe shape of the rectangular pixels 47, 47, . . . , and the angle atwhich first address designating conductors 49, 49, . . . and secondaddress designating conductors 50, 50, . . . intersect with one another,this kind of moiré can be reduced, however, the angle adjustment causesa decrease in an aperture ratio and the angle adjustment is accompaniedby large designing constraints, for example, designing problems that thearrangement position of peripheral circuits interfere with the shape ofthe display area.

In the display device disclosed in the Patent Reference 2, it ispossible to perform a conformal mapping method on the rectangular pixelarray, thus obtaining a non-rectangular pixel array in which jaggies canbe reduced. However, this display device has a disadvantage thatregularity of each pixel is decreased and a symmetric property isdegraded, which causes lowered viewability of a displayed pattern, inparticular, of characters. In the pixel array obtained by the conformalmapping method, no repetition of a minimum pattern occurs in many casesand manual designing of each pixel based on calculated coordinates isrequired, causing extremely complicated work to be unavoidable.Moreover, even after the completion of designing, there are littlesimple repeated patterns, which extremely increases data amounts andwork and the number of man-hours in mask processing thereafter, which isnot preferable in terms of actual usability.

Further, in the non-rectangular display device disclosed in the PatentReferences 1 and 2, it is not assumed that a potential or signal issupplied to a corresponding electrode of each pixel and third conductorline group used to change the supplied potential or signal is mounted.If the third conductor line group is added to the configuration statedin the Patent Reference 1, due to a small space region in the vicinityof the outer circumferential portion of the pixel array 40, it isnecessary that a third driver circuit is mounted outside two kinds ofdriver circuits 41 and 42 already mounted, thus increasing a ratio of aperipheral circuit region to the pixel array 40, which is not preferableto achieve a non-rectangular display device attaching importance to adesign result. In addition, many intersection regions occur amongconductor lines to be connected to the driver circuits 41 and 42, drivercircuits 41 and 42, third conductor line, which causes a disadvantagethat cross capacitance generated by overlapping of conductor lines andparasitic capacitance generated by approach between a conductor line ordriver circuit and another conductor increase. In order to suppress aninfluence exerted on the increased parasitic capacitance, it is assumedthat load capacitance may occur in the driving circuit, however, thismethod is accompanied by an increase in a circuit area. Moreover, thedriver circuit and conductor lines are arranged in a complicated mannerand, therefore, the fear of the occurrence of a short circuit betweenthe conductor line and circuit arises, which reduces a production yieldand reliability.

In the configuration stated in the Patent Reference 2, it is possiblethat the third peripheral circuit (not shown) can be easily mounted in aplace where the driver circuits 41 and 42 do not overlap and, forexample, may be mounted on a lower side of the display area in FIG. 46.However, in the configuration stated in the Reference 2, as describedabove, the position where the row conductor line and column conductorline intersect with each other differs for every pixel, thus possiblycausing further difficult designing and increase in the occurrence ofmoiré.

Moreover, in Patent Reference 3 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-openNo. 2004-212498), Patent Reference 4 (Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-open No. 2004-212500), and Patent Reference 5 (Japanese PatentApplication Laid-open No. 2006-276359), technologies for thenon-rectangular display device are described, however, no description ofeach problem of the above-described conventional technologies andtechnological method to solve the above problems is provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention toprovide an oddly shaped (rectangular) pixel array and a display devicehaving a smooth and gentle outer circumferential shape withoutsacrificing brightness, viewability, and fidelity of an image.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda pixel array with a non-rectangular shaped outer circumferenceincluding a plurality of non-rectangular pixels wherein at least a firstconductor line group made up of a plurality of first conductor lines anda second conductor line group made up of a plurality of second conductorlines are arranged so as to intersect with each other and each of thenon-rectangular pixels is arranged so as to be entirely or partiallysurrounded by each of the first conductor lines and the second conductorlines.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda non-rectangular pixel array including a non-display portion with nopixels and with a non-rectangular contour shape formed inside of thenon-rectangular pixel array and a plurality of non-rectangular pixelsare so arranged that at least a first conductor line group made up of aplurality of first conductor lines and a second conductor line groupmade up of a plurality of second conductor lines intersect with eachother and are so arranged as to be entirely or partially surrounded bythe first and second conductor lines.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda pixel array with a non-rectangular shaped outer circumferenceincluding a plurality of non-rectangular pixels wherein at least a firstconductor line group made up of a plurality of first conductor lines, asecond conductor line group made up of a plurality of second conductorlines, and a third virtual line group made up of a plurality of thirdvirtual lines are arranged so as to intersect with one another and eachof the non-rectangular pixels is arranged so as to be entirely orpartially surrounded by each of the first conductor lines, the secondconductor lines, and the virtual lines.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda non-rectangular pixel array including

a non-display portion with no pixels and with a non-rectangular contourshape formed inside of the non-rectangular pixel array and a pluralityof non-rectangular pixels is so arranged that a first conductor linegroup made up of a plurality of first conductor lines, a secondconductor line group made up of a plurality of second conductor lines,and a third virtual line group made up of a plurality of third virtuallines intersect with one another and so arranged as to be surrounded bythe first conductor lines, the second conductor lines, and the thirdvirtual lines.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda pixel array with a non-rectangular shaped outer circumferenceincluding a plurality of non-rectangular pixels wherein a firstconductor line group made up of a plurality of first conductor lines, asecond conductor line group made up of a plurality of second conductorlines, and a third conductor line group line made up of a plurality ofthird conductor lines are arranged so as to intersect with one another.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provideda non-rectangular pixel array including a non-display portion with nopixels and with a non-rectangular contour shape formed inside of saidnon-rectangular pixel array and a plurality of non-rectangular pixels soarranged that a first conductor line group made up of a plurality offirst conductor lines, a second conductor line group made up of aplurality of second conductor lines, a third conductor line group madeup of a plurality of third conductor lines intersect with one another.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a pixel array, wherein each of the plurality of non-rectangularpixels forms a color pixel with any one of colors out of a plurality ofspecified colors for color display and a unit pixel for the colordisplay is constructed by a combination of the color pixels emitting theplurality of colors and wherein the color pixels emitting the pluralityof colors are arranged in a state in which a number of color pixelsemitting same color being adjacent, in a line-like manner, to each ofthe color pixels is set to be one or zero.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a non-rectangular pixel array made up of non-rectangular pixelsfunctioning as a plurality of kinds of sub-pixels having non-rectangularshapes different from one another and, by electrically changing acombined pattern of the plurality of kinds of sub-pixels, setting fornon-rectangular pixel display or rectangular pixel display is allowed tobe done or change in the setting is allowed to be made.

With the above configuration, it is made possible to realize the oddlyshaped (non-rectangular) pixel array and the display device having asmooth and gentle outer circumferential shape without sacrificingbrightness, viewability, and fidelity of an image. Particularly, in thecase of using a color pixel, the number of color pixels having a samecolor and being adjacent to one another in a line-like manner is notmore than one and, therefore, irregular colors can be reduced and asmooth and gentle outer circumferential contour can be expressed. Morespecifically, by using the non-rectangular pixel array of the presentinvention, the display device being excellent in designing property andfunctionality can be achieved. For example, the display device, having ahighly designing property, with an outer shape being approximatelysimilar to the outer circumferential shape of the pixel array can berealized. In particular, when a color pixel is used, the number of colorpixels having a same color and being adjacent to one another in aline-like manner is not more than one and, therefore, it is possible torealize display device having an outer shape being approximately similarto an outer circumferential shape of the pixel array.

Further, in the another configuration of the present invention, thenon-rectangular pixel functions as a plurality of kinds of sub-pixelshaving the non-rectangular shape being different from one another and,by electrically changing combined patterns of the plurality of kinds ofsub-pixels, setting for non-rectangular pixel display or rectangularpixel display is allowed to be done or change in the setting is allowedto be made. Therefore, the combination method of sub-pixels can bechanged without changing the pixel array, and suitable displaycorresponding to display contents can be achieved. Moreover, thenon-rectangular non-display portion such as a hollow aperture can bemounted easily in the pixel array and, therefore, the display devicebeing excellent not only in designing property but also functionalitycan be easily achieved.

Moreover, by configuring the display device so as not to cross conductorlines in a pixel, the aperture rate of a pixel can be increased and, asa result, light-use efficiency can be improved, which provides a brightscreen and good viewability and reduced power consumption. Wiring designin a pixel area can be done without causing an increase in parasiticcapacitance and, therefore, production yield and reliability of thepixel array, that is, the display device can be achieved. In addition,three kinds of conductor lines intersect with one another and,therefore, the non-rectangular pixel unit to be formed is a singlerepetition unit, which is effective in reducing moiré.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, advantages, and features of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the following description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view diagrammatically showing a configuration of anon-rectangular display device according to a first exemplary embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view diagrammatically showing pixels in a display areaand wiring patterns of various types making up the non-rectangulardisplay device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view schematically showing one part of the displayarea of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view schematically showing an outercircumferential portion of the display area of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram provided to explain display operations according tothe first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is also a diagram provided to explain the display operationsaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is also a diagram provided to explain the display operationsaccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically and partially showing electricalconfigurations of a display area of a first example of the firstexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically and partially showing electricalconfigurations of a display area of a second example of the firstexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram diagrammatically showing an arrangement of activeelements in a display area according to a third example of according tothe first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram partially showing circuit configurations ofthe display area of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a timing chart provided to explain a first driving method ofthe display area of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a timing chart provided to explain a second driving method ofthe display area of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a diagram partially showing a circuit configuration of adisplay area (pixel array) of a fourth example of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a timing chart provided to explain a driving method of thefourth example of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a timing chart provided to explain a driving method of thefourth example of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a diagram partially showing a circuit configuration of adisplay area (pixel array) of a fifth example of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a timing chart provided to explain a driving method of thefifth example of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a diagram partially showing a circuit configuration of adisplay area (pixel array) of a sixth example of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a timing chart provided to explain a driving method of thesixth example of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a front view diagrammatically showing a configuration of anon-rectangular display device of the seventh example of the presentinvention:

FIG. 22 is an enlarged diagram schematically showing, in a partiallyenlarged manner, a display area of a modified example of the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged diagram schematically showing, in a partiallyenlarged manner, a display area making up a non-rectangular displaydevice according to a second exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged diagram schematically showing, in a partiallyenlarged manner, various kinds of wiring patterns in the display areamaking up the non-rectangular display device according to the secondexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged diagram schematically showing, in a partiallyenlarged manner, various kinds of wiring patterns in the display areamaking up the non-rectangular display device according to the secondexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged diagram schematically showing, in a partiallyenlarged manner, various kinds of wiring patterns in a display areamaking up a non-rectangular display device according to a thirdexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a wiring diagram showing wirings surrounding pixels making upa display area of an IPS (In-Plane Switching) liquid crystal displaydevice according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 28 is a wiring diagram showing wirings surrounding pixels making upthe display area of the IPS display device according to the fourthexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing distribution of polarity of an activeelement in the display area making up the display area of the IPSdisplay device of the fourth exemplary embodiment according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 30 is a front view diagrammatically showing a structure of anon-rectangular display device according to a fifth exemplary embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing one example of applications of thenon-rectangular display device according to the fifth exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a front view diagrammatically showing a configuration of anon-rectangular display device according to a sixth exemplary embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a decorativedevice in which a non-rectangular display device is embedded accordingto an eighth exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 34A and 34B are a perspective view showing an appearance of adecorative device in which a non-rectangular display device being aninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is embedded;

FIGS. 35A and 35B are diagrams provided to explain an outline of thepreferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 36A and 36B are diagrams provided to explain the outline of thepreferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a diagram diagrammatically showing an arrangement of colorpixels in a display area making up a non-rectangular color displaydevice according to a tenth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing, in a simplified manner, some arrangementsof color pixels in the display area of FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing, in a simplified manner, some arrangementsof color pixels in the display area of FIG. 37;

FIG. 40 is a diagram partially showing, in a simplified manner, somearrangements of color pixels in the display area of FIG. 37;

FIG. 41 is a diagram partially showing, in a simplified manner, somearrangements of color pixels in the display area of FIG. 37;

FIG. 42 is a diagram partially showing, in a simplified manner, somearrangements of color pixels in the display area of FIG. 37;

FIG. 43 is a diagram partially showing an arrangement configuration of apixel array according to an eleventh exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 44 is a diagram partially showing another arrangement configurationof the pixel array of FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing diagrammatically a configuration of arelated art display device;

FIG. 46 is also a diagram showing diagrammatically a configuration of arelated art display device;

FIG. 47 is a diagram provided to explain problem points of the relatedart display device;

FIG. 48 is a diagram provided to explain problem points of the relatedart display device; and

FIG. 49 is a diagram provided to explain problem points of a related artcolor display device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Best modes of carrying out the present invention will be described infurther detail using various exemplary embodiments with reference to theaccompanying drawings. First, an outline of exemplary embodiments isdescribed. According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention,a non-rectangular display device is made up of non-rectangular pixelsand configured so that at least three types of conductor line (wirings)groups intersect with one other in each portion in which the conductorlines surround each pixel. Thus, in the non-rectangular display deviceusing the non-rectangular pixels, when the conductor lines of at leastthree types each corresponding to a pixel intersect with one another, alength of one given conductor line corresponding to a pixel crossingeach pixel is allowed to be shortened compared with a case of aconfiguration where conductor lines do not intersect with one anotherand, if necessary, a crossing length can be designed so as to be theshortest (FIG. 35B).

The above points are described by referring to FIGS. 35A and 35B. FIGS.35A and 35B are diagrams showing the configuration in which a thirdconductor line 73 a or 73 b crosses a region of a non-rectangular pixel70 surrounded by a first conductor line 71 and second conductor line 72.FIG. 35A shows an example in which the wiring of the third conductorline 73 a is carried out in a manner to be parallel to the firstconductor line 71. FIG. 35B shows an example in which the wiring of thethird conductor line 73 b is carried out in a manner to be non-parallelto the first and second conductor lines 71 and 72. The third conductorline 73 b intersects both the first and second conductor lines 71 and 72and also intersects the second conductor line 72 in a manner to beorthogonal thereto. FIGS. 36A and 36B are diagrams showing theconfiguration in which a third conductor line 83 a or 83 b crosses aregion of a non-rectangular pixel 80 surrounded by a first conductorline 81 and second conductor line 82. FIG. 36A shows an example in whichthe wiring of the third conductor line 83 a is carried out in a mannerto be parallel to the first conductor line 81 and the third conductorline 83 a intersects the second conductor line 82 in a manner to beorthogonal thereto. FIG. 36B shows an example in which the wiring of thethird conductor line 83 b is carried out in a manner to be non-parallelto the first and second conductor lines 81 and 82. The third conductorline 83 b intersects both the first and second conductor lines 81 and82. The region of the non-rectangular pixel 70 shown in FIGS. 35A and35B and the region of the rectangular pixel 80 shown in FIGS. 36A and36B has the same base and height and, therefore, the same area.

Out of the above arrangement examples, the arrangement example in whichthe distance through which the third conductor line crosses the pixels70 and 80 is the shortest is the example shown in FIG. 35B. Therefore,by employing the configuration (shown in FIG. 35B) in which the first,second, and third conductor line group intersect with one other definingthe area of the non-rectangular pixel, the length of the third conductorline 73 b crossing the pixel 70 can be shortened and can be designed sothat the length crossing the pixel becomes the minimum, which enables apixel aperture ratio exerting an influence upon the brightness of thepixel to be designed to be high. Also, when the third conductor lineintersects the second conductor line at an angle being nearer to a rightangle, the area of the intersected portion can be made the smaller, thusenabling the reduction of accompanied parasitic capacitance and of thedelay of a signal which changes depending on the length of a conductorline and on the area of an intersected portion.

According to the best mode of the present invention, a pixel isnon-rectangular and, therefore, unlike in the case of a rectangularpixel, no stepwise pixel arrangement occurs in an outer circumferentialportion of a display area and a pixel can be arranged so as to have ashape suitably representing an outer shape desired to be realized.

The reason for this is that, since a shape of a pixel is notrectangular, the arrangement of the pixel is not defined by two axesintersecting orthogonally. For example, a pixel can be arranged alongtwo axes intersecting with each other at an angle being not a rightangle (for example, parallelogrammic pixel) or the pixel can be arrangedalong three axes intersecting with one another (for example, triangularpixel). In other words, in the configuration in which pixels arearranged along two axes intersecting with each other at an angle beingnot a right angle or in the configuration in which the pixels arearranged along three axes intersecting with one another, unlike in theconfiguration in which the pixels are arranged along two axesintersecting with each other at a right angle (for example, rectangularpixel), directional freedom of the arrangement is enhanced. Thedirectional freedom here denotes the freedom in a translationaldirection when the arrangements of all pixels are based on translationonly.

In the configuration in which the pixel is arranged along two axesintersecting with each other at a right angle, translation inindependent two-axis directions is limited to a right angle directiononly, however, in the configuration in which the pixel is arranged alongtwo axes at an angle being not a right angle (for example, triangularpixel), the translation in independent two-axis directions is notlimited to a right angle. Further, in the configuration in which thepixel is arranged along three axes intersecting with one another,translation in independent three-axis directions is made possible. Byusing sub-pixels of two kinds having three axes of translation andhaving no rotational symmetry (for example, sub-pixel of a triangularshape with its vertex directed upward and a sub-pixel of a reversetriangular shape with its vertex directed downward), more complicatedtranslation can be determined which enables an outer shape of a displayarea in a direction other than a right angle direction to be easilyrealized and also enables an image outer shape being free of jaggies tobe displayed. Additionally, according to the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, as the non-rectangular display device, it is madepossible to realize a very oddly shaped display device, for example,having a hollow portion or through-hole portion in a display area,whereby the present invention is contributable to the enhancement ofdesign result on an appearance of a display device.

First Exemplary Embodiment

Hereinafter, the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention isdescribed by referring to drawings. FIG. 1 is a front viewdiagrammatically showing a configuration of a non-rectangular displaydevice according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a frontview diagrammatically showing pixels in a display area and wiringpatterns of various types making up the display device of FIG. 1. FIG. 3is an enlarged view schematically showing one part of the display areaof FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view schematically showing, in apartially enlarged manner, an outer circumferential portion of thedisplay area of FIG. 2. The display device 1 of the first exemplaryembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is a non-rectangular displaydevice, an outer portion of which has a comma-shaped-bead-like shape(MAGATAMA) and is mainly made up of a comma-shaped-bead-like substrate2, a display area (pixel area) 3 having a comma-shaped-bead-like shapebeing an almost same shape (similar figure) as the substrate 2 on asurface of the substrate 2, and first peripheral circuits 4, 4, . . . ,second peripheral circuits 5, 5, . . . , and a third peripheral circuit6. The first peripheral circuits 4, 4, . . . , second peripheralcircuits 5, 5, . . . , and third peripheral circuit 6 each have a longstraight-line shape or long-curved shape and are arranged respectively,in a dispersed manner, in a region between an outer circumferentialportion of the display area 3 and an outer circumferential portion ofthe substrate 2.

The above display area 3 is made up of a plurality of non-rectangularpixels 7, 7, . . . having various shapes including a triangle with itsvertex directed upward, reverse triangle with its vertex directeddownward, parallelogram, or the like. Each of the non-rectangular pixels7, 7, . . . is formed by a first conductor line group made up of aplurality of first conductor lines 8, 8, . . . , second conductor linegroup made up of a plurality of second conductor lines 9, 9, . . . , andthird conductor line group made up of a plurality of third conductorlines 10, 10, . . . , in which the wiring of all these conductor linesis carried out in a multilayered state on the substrate 2 in a manner inwhich these conductor lines intersect with one another. The plurality ofnon-rectangular pixels 7, 7, . . . are arranged two-dimensionally andarranged in a comma-shaped-bead-like manner and an active element orpixel electrode formed in every pixel is connected to a correspondingone of the first conductor lines 8, 8, . . . , second conductor lines 9,9, . . . , and third conductor lines 10, 10, . . . . Moreover, forsimplification, it is shown in FIG. 2 that the number of the firstconductor lines 8, 8, . . . , second conductor lines 9, 9, . . . , andthird conductor lines 10, 10, . . . is smaller than that used in anactual display device.

The above first peripheral circuits 4, 4, . . . drive the firstconductor lines 8, 8, . . . which belong to the first conductor linegroup. According to the comma-shaped-bead-like display area of the firstexemplary embodiment, for example, all the first conductor lines 8, 8, .. . arranged in the display area 3 can be driven by three firstperipheral circuits 4, 4, . . . formed in an outer circumferentialportion of the substrate 2. The second peripheral circuits 5, 5, . . .drive the second conductor lines 9, 9, . . . which belong to the secondconductor line group. In the first exemplary embodiment, for example,all the second conductor lines 9, 9, . . . arranged in the display area3 can be driven by three second peripheral circuits 5, 5, . . . formedin an outer circumferential portion of the substrate 2. The thirdperipheral circuit 6 drives the third conductor lines 10, 10, . . .which belong to the third conductor line group. In the first exemplaryembodiment, for example, all the third conductor lines 10, 10, . . .arranged in the display area 3 can be driven by one piece of thirdperipheral circuit 6 formed in an outer circumferential portion of thesubstrate 2.

Here, the display device may be configured so that each conductor linebelonging to a given one conductor line group out of the first, second,and third conductor line groups plays a role of a row conductor line andeach conductor line belonging to a given other conductor line groupplays a column conductor line or first column conductor line or eachconductor line is configured to play a role of the column conductor lineor the first column conductor line, or each conductor line belonging toa remaining group plays a role of the second column conductor line or,for example, of a storage capacitance line, conductor line group tosupply a common electrode potential, power source line to supply a givenfixed potential or given potential which changes periodically or of asignal line or the like (see first to fourth exemplary embodiments).

In the first exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a givenfirst conductor line 8, second conductor line 9, third conductor line10, . . . are so arranged as to intersect with one another at a pointand each of three intersection points forms a vertex of a region of atriangle (pixel 7 or half of the pixel) formed by the first, second,third conductor lines 8, 9, 10 . . . . The region of the trianglesurrounded by these three kinds of conductor lines 8, 9, 10 . . .corresponds to each non-rectangular pixel and, in FIG. 2, eachnon-rectangular pixel is shown as a triangle each side of which isdifferent from one another, however, the shape of the non-rectangularpixel is not limited to this and the shape may be right-triangular orisosceles triangular or approximately triangular (oddly shapedtriangle). Moreover, FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged diagram showing adisplay area in FIG. 2 and, in FIG. 3, each pixel is shown, forconvenience, as an isosceles triangle being near a right triangle. Inthe first exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, an angle at whichone conductor line playing a role of a row conductor line intersectsanother conductor line playing a role of a column conductor line, out ofthe three conductor lines, is set to be 65 degrees, however, the angleis not limited to this and any given angle may be employed which can bedetermined when necessary.

In the first exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the first,second, and third peripheral circuits 4, 5, and 6 can be easily arrangedwithout interfering (conflicting) with one another. Also, in the firstexemplary embodiment, basically, a triangle is used as a unit ofiteration and, therefore, very easy design can be realized when comparedwith the conventional configuration.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing an outer circumferential portion ofthe display device of the first exemplary embodiment. Moreover, in orderto clarify the triangular pixel 7 and the outer circumferential portionof the display area 3, one pixel is selected and filled with black whilevarious conductor line groups formed by the first, second, thirdconductor lines 8, 9, 10 . . . are not shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG.4, the outer shape 11 a of the display area 3 made up of thenon-rectangular pixels 7, 7, . . . can not cover or follow completely anouter shape 12 (shape of outer circumferential curved region) of thedisplay area desired to be realized, however, as is apparent whencompared with the outer shape 11 b (see FIG. 47) of the conventionalnon-rectangular display area using the rectangular pixels 47, 47, . . ., can cover or follow the outer shape 12 of the display area desired tobe realized. That is, in the case of the display area using theconventional rectangular pixels 47 shown in FIG. 47, an ability tofollow (reproduce) the outer shape desired to be realized is poor, thuscausing greatly jagged outer shapes.

Thus, in the non-rectangular display device using the conventionalrectangular pixels 47, 47, . . . , the outer shape of the display devicegives a jagged edge appearance and impairs the beauty and appearanceproduced by a non-rectangular shape. In the non-rectangular display area7 of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the jaggies inthe outer shape are reduced, thus enabling the beauty and appearanceproduced by the non-rectangular shape to be maintained.

According to the exemplary embodiment, since the non-rectangular pixelsare used, the arrangement of pixels is not limited by two axesintersecting orthogonally with each other and, for example, the pixelscan be arranged along two axes intersecting with each other at an anglebeing not a right angle (for example, parallelogrammic pixels) and canbe arranged along three axes intersecting with one another (for example,triangular pixels) and, as a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the first,second, and third peripheral circuits 4, 5, and 6 can be easily placedwithout causing the interference (conflict) with one another. Moreover,in the first exemplary embodiment, basically, a triangle is used as aunit of iteration and, therefore, very easy design can be realized whencompared with the conventional configuration.

Next, display operations of the display device of the first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention are described by referring to FIGS.5 to 7. When graphics inter-correlated with an outer circumferentialshape of a display area desired to be realized are to be displayed, acontour line like FIG. 13 is displayed which is formed by a lineobtained by equally dividing a line linking between each point in anouter circumferential portion of the display area 3 and (a plurality of)given points in the display area 3 into portions each having anapproximately equal distance according to a specific rule. That is, inthe display area 3, two points P1 and P2 (hollow points in FIG. 5) aspoints corresponding to a peak on a map are selected first. Next,weights are assigned to the selected two points P1 and P2 by assigning avalue corresponding to a height above the sea level to be used in a map.Here, the point to which a larger value is assigned has a higher weight.A segment linking between these two points P1 and P2 corresponds to aridge (ridgeline) to be used in a map. For example, as a segment Lcorresponding to the ridge, part of a curve corresponding to an outershape is selected. By equally dividing the segment L corresponding tothe ridge by a distance along the segment between these two points P1and P2 and by comparing the result from the equal division with a resultobtained by diving a difference in values between the two points P1 andP2, a value is assigned to each point on the ridge. By equally dividinga segment linking between each point on the ridge obtained as above andeach point of an outer circumferential portion of the display area 3 bya distance along the segment and by simultaneously comparing the resultfrom the equal division with a result from the equal division of adifference of a value between two points, a value is assigned to theentire display area 3. Next, based on values assigned to the displayarea 3, equal value lines are formed to obtain the FIG. 13 (which has acontour line like shape inter-correlated with an outer circumferentialshape of the display area desired to be realized) desired to bedisplayed in the display area 3.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing one example of a contour line like graphicsactually displayed on the display area 3. Moreover, a comparativeexample is shown in FIG. 48 in which a contour line like graphics 55inter-correlated with an outer circumferential shape of anon-rectangular display area using the conventional rectangular pixels47, 47, . . . . It is understood from the comparative example in FIG. 48that the contour line like graphics 56 actually displayed isconsiderably different from the contour line like graphics 55 desired tobe displayed. It is also understood from the comparative example in FIG.48 that an outer circumferential portion in the contour line likegraphics 56 to be displayed is greatly jagged (saw-toothed). On theother hand, according to the contour line like graphics of the firstexemplary embodiment in FIG. 6, the jagged edge appearance on the outercircumferential portion of the contour line like graphics 14 a actuallydisplayed is greatly reduced.

In the display example of the graphics in FIG. 6, a pixel to bedisplayed or a pixel not to be displayed is determined according to aratio of an area occupied by a region desired to be displayed to thearea of the pixel 7. As a result, a pixel whose position is opposite toan average gradient of an outer circumferential portion exists, whichpartially causes the occurrence of jagged edges. The jagged edges can bereduced by performing a software process. FIG. 7 shows an example inwhich the jagged edges s are further reduced by performing the softwareprocess. The software process here stands for a process in which, when adirection of a gradient formed by a pixel actually displayed is oppositeto the gradient of the circumferential portion of the graphics 13desired to be displayed, the pixel is not displayed. According to thesoftware process described above, as shown in FIG. 7, a smoother pseudocurve 14 b can be displayed when compared with results from the processin FIG. 6. Moreover, in the comparative example in FIG. 48, the samesoftware process as described above is not allowed to be performed and,therefore, in the display example in FIG. 7, more excellent imagedisplay having extremely fewer jagged edges can be achieved whencompared with the conventional case in FIG. 48.

Further, in a modified example, by making a segment L on a ridge morecomplicated, a design result reflecting the complicated state can beobtained. For example, points to be assigned to the segment L on theridge are increased, when, if necessary, points having values beingsmall than those of points corresponding to a peak of the segment of theridge are assigned. More specifically, the point P3 (FIG. 5) havingvalues being smaller than those of points corresponding to two peaks isassigned between the above two points P1 and P2. The values of the twopeaks are different from each other. At this time, values correspondingto the ridge linking between a large peak and a small peak are allowedto be assigned to the segment of the ridge. By using the above method,the contour-line like graphics can be adjusted in a given manner, thusenabling a highly effective design result to be realized.

The non-rectangular display device of the first exemplary embodiment canbe installed on various devices. The example of the devices in which thenon-rectangular display device can be suitably used includes a mobilephone, game terminal, audio player or video player such as MP3 player(MPEG Audio Layer-3), combined devices thereof, devices embedded in apendant or accessories (This is true for other exemplary embodimentsdescribed later). Moreover, the device of the exemplary embodiment, ifnecessary, may be configured so that a driving signal is supplied froman external circuit without using the peripheral circuits. Even in thewiring configuration not using the peripheral circuit, according to theexemplary embodiment, an electrode terminal for outside drawing can bearranged, in a manner to have good compatibility, in a non-rectangularshaped outer circumferential portion of the substrate.

Next, the display area making up the display device of the exemplaryembodiment of the present invention is described in detail by usingexamples of the first exemplary embodiment.

Example 1

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically and partially showing electricalconfigurations of a display area of a first example of the firstexemplary embodiment. The display area of the example 1, as shown inFIG. 8, is configured so that many first conductor line groups made upof a plurality of row conductor lines 8 a, 8 a, . . . arranged inparallel to each other along a first direction with a specified intervaltherebetween, many second conductor line groups made up of a pluralityof first column conductor lines 9 a, 9 a, . . . arranged in parallel toeach other along a second direction with a specified intervaltherebetween, and many third conductor line groups made up of aplurality of second column conductor lines 10 a, 10 a, . . . arranged inparallel to each other along a third direction with a specified intervaltherebetween, are arranged on a substrate and each of the row conductorlines 8 a, first column conductor lines 9 a, second column conductorlines 10 a is connected to each of active elements 15 a and 15 b eachmade up of a TFT (Thin Film Transistor).

In the example, the pixel (hereafter, upward triangular pixel) forming atriangle with its vertex directed upward 7 a in which active elements 15a are arranged and the pixel 7 b forming a triangle with its vertexdirected downward in FIG. 8 where active element 7 b are arranged(hereinafter, downward directed pixel) are arranged alternately and thetriangular pixel 7 a in which the active elements 15 a are connected isaccessed by the row conductor line 8 a and first column conductor 9 aand the reverse-triangular pixel 7 b in which active elements 15 b areconnected is accessed by the row conductor line 8 a and second columnconductor line 10 a. More specifically, a scanning signal is inputtedthrough the row conductor line 8 a from the first peripheral circuit 4to the active elements 15 a and 15 b and image data is inputted throughthe first or second column conductor line 9 a and 10 a from the secondor third peripheral circuit 5 or 6 to the active elements 15 a and 15 b.

According to the configurations of the example 1, the pixels arrangedbased on three directional translocation can be freely driven and,therefore, by inputting image data from the first or second columnconductor line 9 a or 10 a, an image can be displayed on an entirescreen (display area). In the example, as shown in FIG. 2, the first,second, and third peripheral circuits 4, 5, and 6 can be readilyarranged without interfering with one another. Moreover, in the example,basically, a triangle is used as a unit of iteration and, therefore,very easy design can be realized when compared with the conventionalconfiguration. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the active elements 15 a and15 b are regularly arranged for every two pixels and, therefore, basedon a minimum unit of iteration (in the example, parallelogram obtainedby adding two pixels 7 a and 7 b paired with the triangles directednon-inversely and inversely), the display area having various shapes canbe easily designed. In addition, the configuration of the arrangementbased on a single unit of iteration is effective in reducing moiré.

In the example, the first conductor line group is configured to functionas a collection made up of the row conductor lines 8 a, 8 a, . . . , thesecond conductor line group is configured to function as a collectionmade up of the first column conductor lines 9 a, 9 a, . . . , and thethird conductor line group is configured to function as a collectionmade up of the second column conductor lines 10 a, 10 a, . . . ,however, the configuration is not limited to this. That is, the firstconductor line group may be configured to function as a collection madeup of the first column conductor lines or second conductor lines and thesecond conductor line group may be configured to function as acollection made up of the second conductor lines or row conductor linesand the third conductor line group may be configured to function as acollection made up of the row conductor lines or first column conductorlines.

Example 2

FIG. 9 a diagram schematically and partially showing electricalconfigurations of a display area according to a second example of thefirst exemplary embodiment. The display area of the second example ofthe first exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, is configured sothat many first conductor line groups made up of a plurality of gatelines 16, 16, . . . arranged in parallel to each other along a firstdirection with a specified interval therebetween, many second conductorline groups made up of a plurality of data lines 17, 17, . . . arrangedin parallel to each other along a second direction with a specifiedinterval therebetween, and many third conductor line groups made up of aplurality of storage capacitance lines 18, 18, . . . arranged inparallel to each other along a third direction with a specified intervaltherebetween, are arranged on a substrate and each of the gate lines 16,data lines 17, storage capacitance lines 18 is connected to each ofactive elements 15 c each made up of a TFT mounted on each correspondingpixel (parallelogrammic pixel) 7 c. In the example, each pixel isparallelogrammic and an area of each pixel is about twice larger thanthat of a triangular pixel (FIG. 8). Each pixel 7 c is partitioned by acorresponding storage capacitance line 18.

In the example, a scanning signal (address signal) is inputted through agate line from the first peripheral circuit 4 to a gate electrode of anactive element 15 c mounted for every parallelogrammic pixel 7 c and animage data signal is inputted through a data line from the secondperipheral circuit 5 to a data electrode of the active element 15 c. Oneterminal of each of the storage capacitance lines 18, 18, . . . isconnected to a pixel electrode and its other terminal is connected tothe third peripheral circuit 6. Also, in the example, the pixelsarranged based on two directional translocation can be freely drivenand, therefore, images can be displayed in the entire screen (displayarea) by inputting image data from a data line.

In the example, as shown in FIG. 2, the first, second, third peripheralcircuits 4, 5, and 6 can be easily arranged without interfering with oneanother. Also, in the exemplary embodiment, a parallelogram is used as aunit of iteration and, therefore, very easy design can be realized whencompared with the conventional configuration. That is, the pixel of theexample has translation in two directions only in arrangements, however,has translation at an angle other than a right angle unlike in theconventional device and, therefore, the pixel arrangement following anouter shape to be realized is made possible, thus providing a highlyeffective design result as the non-rectangular shaped device whencompared with the conventional device. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, theactive element 15 c is regularly arranged for every pixel and,therefore, based on a minimum unit of iteration (in the example,parallelogram), a display area having various shapes can be easilydesigned. In addition, the configuration of the arrangement based on asingle unit of iteration is effective in reducing moiré.

In the example, the first conductor line group is configured to functionas a collection made up of the gate lines (row conductor lines) 16, 16,. . . , the second conductor line group is configured to function as acollection made up of the data lines (column conductor lines) 17, 17, .. . , and the third conductor line group is configured to function as acollection made up of the storage capacitance lines 18, 18, . . . ,however, the configuration is not limited to this. That is, the firstconductor line group may be configured to function as a collection madeup of the data lines (column conductor line) or storage capacitancelines and the second conductor line group may be configured to functionas a collection made up of the storage capacitance lines or gate lines(row conductor lines) and the third conductor line group may beconfigured to function as a collection made up of the gate lines (rowconductor lines) or data lines (column conductor lines). Moreover, inthe example, the case where each pixel is partitioned by a correspondingstorage capacitance line 18 is described, however, the configuration isnot limited to this and each pixel may be partitioned by a correspondinggate line (row conductor line) 16 or data line (column conductor line)17.

In addition, the third conductor line group may be configured tofunction as a collection made up of conductor lines to supply a commonelectrode potential to each pixel, instead of the storage capacitancelines. Further, the third conductor line group may be configured tofunction as a collection made up of power lines to supply a given fixedpotential or a given potential changing periodically to each pixel, or asignal line, instead of the storage capacitance lines.

Example 3

FIG. 10 is a diagram diagrammatically showing the arrangement of anactive element in a display area (pixel array) according to a thirdexample of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG.11 is a circuit configuration diagram partially showing circuitconfigurations of the display area of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a timing chartprovided to explain a first driving method of the display area of FIG.10. FIG. 13 is a timing chart provided to explain a second drivingmethod of the display area of FIG. 10.

In the display area of the third example, as shown in FIG. 10 (FIG. 3),the first conductor line group plays a role of a gate line and the thirdconductor line group plays a role of a data line. More specifically, asshown in FIG. 10 (FIG. 3), two gate lines GA and GB are arranged inparallel to each other at each of the places of the first conductor lineand each data line DL is arranged at each of the places of the thirdconductor line and each storage capacitance line SC is arranged at eachof the places of the second conductor line. That is, the two gate linesGA and GB are shown as one first conductor line for convenience in FIG.10 (FIG. 3). In the example, in the display area, n-pieces (n is anatural number being not less than 2) of gate lines GA and GB arearranged.

Each of the triangular pixel directed upward 7 d and triangular pixeldirected downward 7 e shown in FIG. 10 is mainly made up of an activeelement 15 d such as a TFT, a storage capacitor 19, and an electricoptical substance portion 20 to serve substantially as an pixel as shownin FIG. 11. The gate electrode of the active element 15 d is connectedto the gate line GA (or GB) and its source electrode (or its drainelectrode) is connected to the data line DL and its drain electrode (orits source electrode) is connected to one terminal of the storagecapacitor 19 and one terminal of the electric optical substance portion20. Another terminal of the storage capacitor 19 is connected to thestorage capacitance line SC and another terminal of the electric opticalsubstance portion 20 is connected to the common electrode line COM.

Moreover, the example of the suitable electric optical substance for theelectric optical substance portion 20 includes a liquid crystal,electrophoretic substance, and the like. The exemplary embodimentemploys the method in which, by causing an electric field to occurbetween the active element side substrate on which the gate lines GA andGB, data line DL, storage capacitance line SC, active element 15 d suchas TFTs, storage capacitor 19 or the like are mounted and facingsubstrate on which the common electrode is mounted, the electric opticalsubstance such as a liquid crystal and electrophoretic substance isoperated. The example mode of the suitable method of this type includesa twist nematic (TM) mode, multi-domain vertical alignment (MVA) mode,polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) mode, or the like, and this methodcan be applied to electronic paper using an electrophoretic liquidcrystal or cholesteric liquid crystal.

In the above configuration, the triangular pixel directed upward 7 b(pixel shown at the upper right of FIG. 11) is controlled by a gatesignal flowing through the gate line GA and the triangular pixeldirected downward 7 e (pixel shown at the lower left of FIG. 11) iscontrolled by a gate signal flowing through the gate line GB. Thetriangular pixel directed upward 7 d and triangular pixel directeddownward 7 e are driven according to a time division method for everyfield or every row through two kinds of gate lines GA and GB mounted inparallel to each other.

Next, operations of the example are described by referring to FIGS. 12and 13. First, operations by the first driving method of the example areexplained by referring to FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, A1 shows a gate signal tobe applied to a first gate line GA, A2 shows a gate signal to be appliedto a second gate line GA, and An shows a gate signal to be applied to an-th gate line GA. Similarly, in FIG. 12, B1 shows a gate signal to beapplied to a first gate line GB, B2 shows a gate signal to be applied toa second gate line GB, and Bn shows a gate signal to be applied to ann-th gate line GB. A data signal D corresponding to the gate line GA isapplied to a data line DL (here, for simplification, all data lines arereferred by the data line DL collectively) and the gate signals A1, A2,. . . are sequentially applied to n-pieces of gate lines GA and, as aresult, the triangular pixels directed upward 7 d corresponding to thegate lines GA are sequentially scanned (for every row). Then, datasignal D corresponding to the gate line GB is applied to the data lineDL and gate signals B1, B2, . . . Bn are applied to n-pieces of gatelines GB and, as a result, the triangular pixels directed downward 7 ecorresponding to the gate lines GB are sequentially scanned (for everyrow). By repeating procedures described above, all the screens arechanged from time to time in a sequential scanning manner to display amoving image. It is natural that, by continuing to write the same datasignal D, image display can be maintained and still images can be stilldisplayed.

Next, operations by the second driving method of the example areexplained by referring to FIG. 13. In the second driving method of theexample, as shown in FIG. 13, a gate signal A1 is applied to the firstgate signal GA and, then, a gate signal B1 is applied to the first gateline GB. Next, a gate signal A2 is applied repeatedly to the second gateline GA and then a gate signal B2 is applied repeatedly to the secondgate line GB and a gate signal Bn is applied repeatedly to an n-th gateline GB. At the time, to the data line DL, the data signal Dcorresponding to the gate signal A1, data signal D corresponding to thegate signal B1, data signal D corresponding to the gate signal A2, datasignal D corresponding to the gate signal B2, data signal Dcorresponding to the gate signal An, data signal D corresponding to thegate signal Bn are sequentially applied and scanning is performed whilea changeover is being made between the signal corresponding to the gateline GA and the signal corresponding to the gate line GB. By repeatingthese processes, an entire screen is displayed.

Thus, according to the configuration in the example, the non-rectangulardisplay area is formed by using a pixel unit of a triangle, therebyobtaining translation in three directions and the non-rectangulardisplay device providing a further highly effective design result can beachieved (when compared with the display area of the second exampleconfigured by using a pixel unit of a parallelogram allowing translationin two directions only).

Example 4

FIG. 14 is a diagram partially showing a circuit configuration of adisplay area (pixel array) of a fourth example of the first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a timing chart providedto explain a driving method of the fourth example. The configuration ofarrangements of active elements in the display area (pixel array) of thefourth example is the same as that (third example) shown in FIG. 10. Inthe display area of the fourth example, the first conductor line shownin FIG. 3 plays a role of a gate line and the third conductor line playsa role of a data line. More specifically, in the wiring portioncorresponding to the first conductor line shown in FIG. 3, three gatelines GA, GG, and GB are assigned in parallel to one another and, in thewiring portion corresponding to the third conductor line shown in FIG.3, a data line DL is arranged. In the wiring portion corresponding tothe second conductor line, a memory capacitance line MC is arranged.That is, three pieces of the gate lines GA, GG, and GB are shown as onepiece of the first conductor line in FIG. 3. In the example, n-pieces(“n” is a natural number being less than 2) of each of the gate linesGA, GG, and GB are formed.

As shown in FIG. 14, each of the triangular pixel directed upward 7 fand triangular pixel directed downward 7 g is mainly made up of anactive element 15 e such as a TFT, a memory capacitor 21, an activeelement 15 f such as a TFT, and an electric optical substance portion 20substantially functioning as a pixel. The configuration of the fourthexemplary embodiment differs from that of the third exemplary embodimentin that memory elements (memory capacitor 21, active element 15 f, andthe like) are provided in every pixel. The gate electrode of the activeelement 15 e, as shown in FIG. 14, is connected to the gate line GA (orGB) and its source electrode (or drain electrode) is connected to thedata line DL and its drain electrode (source electrode) is connected toone end of the memory capacitor 21 and to the source electrode (drainelectrode) of the active element 15 f. The gate electrode of the activeelement 15 f is connected to the gate line GG and its source electrode(or drain electrode) is connected to the active element 15 e and itsdrain electrode (source electrode) is connected to one end of theelectric optical substance portion 20. Another end of the memorycapacitor 21 is connected to the memory capacitance line MC and anotherend of the electric optical substance portion 20 is connected to thecommon electrode line COM (on a facing electrode side). Moreover, afterthe electric optical substance is added to the electric opticalsubstance portion 20, the storage capacitor 19 (whose another end is thestorage capacitance line SC) may be connected to the electric opticalsubstance portion 20. In this case, the memory capacitance line MC andstorage capacitance line SC may be partially or totally used as a commonline.

In the above configurations, in FIG. 14, the memory capacitor 21 of thetriangular pixel directed upward 7 f (upper right of FIG. 14) iscontrolled by a gate signal flowing through the gate line GA and thememory capacitor of the triangular pixel directed downward 7 g (lowerleft of FIG. 14) is controlled by a gate signal flowing through the gateline GB. The connection between each memory capacitor 21 and electricoptical substance portion 20 is controlled by a gate signal flowingthrough the gate line GG.

Next, operations of the example are described by referring to FIG. 15.In FIG. 15, A1 represents a gate signal to be applied to the first gateline GA, A2 represents a gate signal to be applied to the second gateline GA, and An represents a gate signal to be applied to the n-th gateline GA. Similarly, in FIG. 15, B1 represents a gate signal to beapplied to the first gate line GB, B2 represents a gate signal to beapplied to the second gate line GB, and Bn represents a gate signal tobe applied to the n-th gate line GB.

Moreover, for simplification, all the gate lines GG are referred by thegate line GG collectively. A data signal D corresponding to the gateline GA is applied to a data line DL (here, for simplification, all datalines are referred by the data line DL collectively) and the gatesignals A1, A2, . . . are sequentially applied to n-pieces of gate linesGA and, as a result, the triangular pixels directed upward 7 fcorresponding to the gate lines GA are sequentially scanned (for everyrow). Then, data signal D corresponding to the gate line GB is appliedto the data line DL and gate signals B1, B2, . . . Bn are applied ton-pieces of gate lines GB and, as a result, the triangular pixelsdirected downward 7 g corresponding to the gate lines GB aresequentially scanned (for every row). By repeating such processesdescribed above, a voltage corresponding to a data signal D is stored toeach memory capacitor 21. Then, when the signal G is simultaneouslyapplied to all gate lines GG, the active element 15 f is turned ON,which causes the data signal D stored in each memory capacitor 21 to beapplied to the electric optical substance portion 20. Thus, in thefourth example (FIG. 15), the switching of display of an entire screenis performed simultaneously and, therefore, the driving method is calleda “plane sequential driving method”, while the driving method employedin the third example (FIGS. 12 and 13) is called a “line sequentialdriving method”. Moreover, the method for applying a signal to the gatelines GA and GB, and data line DL used in the driving method shown inFIG. 15 is the same as the first driving method (FIG. 12) of the thirdexample, however, the second driving method (FIG. 13) of the thirdexample may be employed. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 16, another methodmay be used in which, after image data D corresponding to the gate lineGA is written, a signal G is inputted into the gate line GG and further,after image data D corresponding to the gate line GB is written, thesignal G is inputted to the gate line GG. By driving as above, datastored in the memory capacitor 21 is written twice to each of the pixels7 f and 7 g and, therefore, operations of the electric optical substanceportion 20 become more stable and, since the display frequency isdoubled, the display becomes more clear.

As described as above, according to the fourth example, thenon-rectangular display area is formed by using a pixel unit of atriangle and translation in three directions is obtained andapproximately the same effect as described in the third example can beachieved. In addition, in the configuration of the fourth example, clearimage display can be realized. For example, contrast is improved anddisplay of moving image becomes better.

Example 5

FIG. 17 is a diagram partially showing a circuit configuration of adisplay area (pixel array) of a fifth example of the present invention.FIG. 18 is a timing chart provided to explain a driving method of thefifth example. In the wiring portion corresponding to the firstconductor line shown in FIG. 3, two gate lines GA, GB are assigned inparallel to each other and, in the wiring portion corresponding to thethird conductor line shown in FIG. 3, a data line DL is arranged. In thewiring portion corresponding to the second conductor line, a memorycapacitance line MC is arranged. As shown in FIG. 17, each of thetriangular pixels directed upward 7 h and triangular pixel directeddownward 7 i is mainly made up of an active element 15 e such as a TFT,a memory capacitor 21, an active element 15 f such as a TFT, and anelectric optical substance portion 20. Thus, the display area of thefifth example is the same as that of the fourth example in that thememory element is formed in every pixel, however, differs in that, inthe connection configuration, the gate line GG is removed out of thethree gate lines GA, GG, and GB.

That is, in the triangular pixel directed upward 7 h (upper right ofFIG. 17), a gate electrode of the active element 15 e is connected tothe gate line GB and the gate electrode of the active element 15 f isconnected to the gate line GA. In the triangular pixel directed downward7 i (lower left of FIG. 17), the gate electrode of the active element 15e is connected to the gate line GA and the gate electrode of the activeelement 15 f is connected to the gate line GB.

In the above configuration, the memory capacitor 21 of the triangularpixel directed upward 7 h (upper right of FIG. 17) is controlled by agate signal flowing through the gate line GB and the connection betweenthe memory capacitor 21 and electric optical substance 20 is controlledby a gate signal flowing through the gate line GA. Moreover, the memorycapacitor 21 of the triangular pixel directed downward 7 i (lower leftof FIG. 17) is controlled by the gate signal flowing through the gateline GA and the connection between the memory capacitor 21 and electricoptical substance 20 is controlled by the gate signal flowing throughthe gate line GB.

Next, operations of the example are described by referring to FIG. 18.First, in the state where attention is focused on the triangular pixeldirected upward 7 h (upper right pixel of FIG. 17), when gate signalsA1, A2, . . . An are sequentially applied to the gate line GA, the gateelectrode of the active element 15 f is turned ON, thus causing the datasignal D stored in the memory capacitor 21 to be applied to the electricoptical substance 20. Next, when the gate signals B1, B2, . . . Bn aresequentially applied to the gate line GB, the gate electrode of theactive element 15 e is turned ON, causing the data signal D to be storedin the memory capacitor 21. Then, in the state where attention isfocused on the triangular pixel directed downward 7 h (lower left ofFIG. 17), when gate signals B1, B2, . . . Bn are sequentially applied tothe gate line GB, the gate electrode of the active element 15 f isturned ON, thus causing the data signal D stored in the memory capacitor21 to be stored in data capacitor 21. When gate signals A1, A2, . . . Anare sequentially applied to the gate line GA, the gate electrode of theactive element 15 e is turned ON, thus causing the data signal D storedin the memory capacitor 21 to be stored in the electric opticalsubstance 20. In both the pixels, the data signal D is stored in thememory capacitor 21 by one gate signal D and the data signal D isapplied by another gate signal to the electric optical substance 20.

As described as above, according to the fifth example, thenon-rectangular display area is formed by using a pixel unit of atriangle and translation in three directions is obtained andapproximately the same effect as described in the third example can beachieved. In addition, in the configuration of the fifth example, thenumber of gate lines can be reduced when compared with the fourth case(FIG. 14).

Example 6

FIG. 19 is a diagram partially showing a circuit configuration of adisplay area (pixel array) of a sixth example of the present invention.FIG. 20 is a timing chart provided to explain a driving method of thesixth example. In the display area of the sixth example, the firstconductor line shown in FIG. 3 plays a role of a gate line G and thethird conductor line plays a role of a data line DL, the secondconductor line plays a role of the storage capacitance line SC andcommon electrode line COM. As described in the above examples, thestorage capacitance line SC and common electrode line COM may bearranged as two different lines independently or as a single commonline.

In the sixth example 6, the triangular pixel directed upward 7 j (upperright of FIG. 19) is mainly made up of an active element 15 g having afirst polarity (in the example, as a P-channel type), a storagecapacitor 19, and electric optical substance potion 20. The triangularpixel directed downward 7 k (lower left of FIG. 19) is mainly made up ofan active element 15 h having a second polarity (in the example, as anN-channel type), a storage capacitor 19, and electric optical substanceportion 20. Moreover, it is needless to say that the triangular pixeldirected upward 7 j (upper right of FIG. 19) may be made up of theactive element having the second polarity. The triangular pixel directeddownward 7 k (lower left of FIG. 19) may be made up of the activeelement having the first polarity. In the triangular pixel directedupward 7 j (upper right of FIG. 19), the active element 15 g having thefirst polarity is connected to the gate line G, data line DL, storagecapacitor 19, and electric optical substance portion 20. In thetriangular pixel directed downward 7 k (lower left of FIG. 19), theactive element 15 h having the second polarity is connected to the gateline G, data line DL, storage capacitor 19, and electric opticalsubstance portion 20.

Next, operations of the sixth example are described by referring to FIG.20. In FIG. 20, G1 represents a gate signal to be applied to the firstgate line G, G2 represents a gate signal to be applied to the secondgate line G, and Gn represents a gate signal to be applied to the n-thgate line G. In the example, a “positive” pulse signal (gate signal)whose potential is higher than a reference potential of the gate line Gand a “negative” pulse signal (gate signal) whose potential is lowerthan the reference potential of the gate line G are applied alternately(in a field period) with a reference potential sandwiched therebetweento each gate line G. Moreover, the polarity of the data signal D variesdepending on the polarity of the pulse signal (gate signal).

In the above configuration, in a field period, when the positive pulsesignal is applied to the gate line G, the active element 15 h having thesecond polarity is turned ON, the data signal D of the data line DL isapplied to the electric optical substance portion 20 of the triangularpixel directed downward 7 k (lower left of FIG. 20). In a subsequentfield period, when the negative pulse signal is applied to the gate lineG, the active element 15 g having the first polarity is turned ON, thedata signal D of the data line DL is applied to the electric opticalsubstance portion 20 of the triangular pixel directed upward 7 j (upperleft of FIG. 20).

Thus, according to the sixth example, by applying a gate signal havingpolarities different from one another, the entire display area can bedriven as a whole, thereby reducing the number of wirings for the gateline.

Example 7

FIG. 21 is a front view diagrammatically showing configurations of anon-rectangular display device of the seventh example of the presentinvention. The non-rectangular display device 1 of the seventh examplehas the same configuration as the display device of the first exampleshown in FIG. 1, however, in the seventh example, a connection wiring 22to connect the display area 3 to the outside device (lower right of FIG.21). Here, by providing the peripheral circuit with a required functionto drive various types of conduction line group, the number of terminalsrequired for the connection wiring 22 can be reduced. If the number ofterminals can be successfully reduced, as shown in FIG. 21, similaritybetween the outer shape of the display device 1 of FIG. 1 and thecontour of the display device 1 is not lost, whereby attractiveappearance of the display 1 can be maintained.

Modified Example 1

FIG. 22 is an enlarged diagram schematically showing, in a partiallyenlarged manner, a display area (pixel array) being a modified exampleof the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The displayarea of the modified example differs from that shown in FIG. 3 in that,unlike the case where the given first, second, and third conductor lines8, 9, 10, . . . , intersect with one another at one point as shown inFIG. 3, in FIG. 22, there is no intersection of these lines at onepoint. That is, in the modified example, the intersection between thefirst conductor line 8 b and second conductor line 9 b, the intersectionbetween the second conductor line 9 b and third conductor line 10 b, theintersection between the third conductor line 10 b and first conductorline 8 b, do not overlap with one another at one point. According to theconfiguration of the modified example, though an aperture area of eachpixel becomes somewhat smaller, a difference in level among multilayerwirings at the intersection area can be more reduced when compared withthe case where the three conductor lines intersect with one another atone point. Owing to this, a wiring failure (line breakage or shortcircuit) being liable to occur in the level difference portion can bereduced.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

Next, the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention isdescribed by referring to FIG. 23. FIG. 23 is an enlarged diagramschematically showing, in a partially enlarged manner, a display areamaking up a non-rectangular display device of a second exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. The display area of the secondexemplary embodiment differs greatly from that of the first exemplaryembodiment in that, instead of the triangular pixel, hexagonal pixelsare employed.

In the display area (pixel array) of the second exemplary embodiment,many first conductor line groups each made up of a plurality of zigzagfirst conductor lines 8 c, 8 c, . . . , arranged in right and leftdirections in FIG. 23, many second conductor line groups each made up ofa plurality of zigzag second conductor lines 9 c, 9 c, . . . , arrangedin up and down directions, and many third conductor line groups eachmade up of a plurality of approximately line-like third conductor lines10 c, 10 c, . . . , arranged in a slanted direction (upper left to lowerright of FIG. 23) formed on a substrate and each of the first, second,and third conductor lines 8 c, 9 c, 10 c, . . . , is connected to eachcorresponding pixel (active element), pixel electrode, and the like.

The above first conductor lines 8 c, 8 c, . . . , are so configured asto correspond to three sides out of six sides making up the hexagon andto be arranged in a warped zigzag manner. The second conductor lines 9c, 9 c, . . . , are so configured as to correspond to two sides out ofsix sides making up the hexagon and to be arranged in a warped zigzagmanner. That is, both the two first conductor lines 8 c and 8 c adjacentto each other and the two second conductor lines 9 c and 9 c adjacent toeach other make up the hexagonal pixel. In the second exemplaryembodiment, the first conductor line 8 c, second conductor line 9 c, andthird conductor line 10 c intersect, for every pixel, in other words,intersect with one another in a portion corresponding to an outercircumferential portion of the hexagon forming the pixel.

Moreover, in FIG. 23, the third conductor lines 10 c, 10 c, . . . ,extend in an approximately line-like manner in a left upward directionof FIG. 23, however, as shown in FIG. 24, third conductor lines 10 d, 10d, . . . , may extend in an approximately line-like manner in a rightdownward direction of FIG. 24. The third conductor lines 10 c (10 d), 10c (10 d), . . . , may be arranged at a given inclined angle. Further, asshown in FIG. 25, the third conductor lines 10 e, 10 e, . . . , may bearranged in a manner to produce an outer circumferential shape of thehexagonal pixel and may extend in a warped zigzag manner in a slanteddirection.

The hexagonal pixel made up of only two kinds of conductor lines (firstand second conductor lines) has a problem in that, since the number offree directions in which a repetition unit is allowed to be designed tobe freely expanded or contracted is only two (from a broad view, up anddown directions, and right and left directions), the improvement ofattractive appearance of an outer shape of the non-rectangular displayarea is restricted and peripheral circuits cannot be mounted in a goodmanner. However, according to the second exemplary embodiment, besidesthe repetition in up and down directions, the repetition in the slanteddirection is added (thus, increasing the free directions) and,therefore, matching between the repetition unit and the outer shape ofthe non-rectangular display area can be improved. Thus, even when thethird conductor lines are arranged, the peripheral circuits can bemounted in a good manner. As a result, the appearance beauty of thedisplay area and display device can be improved.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

Next, the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention isdescribed by referring to FIG. 26. FIG. 26 is an enlarged diagramschematically showing, in a partially enlarged manner, various kinds ofwiring patterns in a display area making up a non-rectangular displaydevice of the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Theconfiguration of the display area of the third exemplary embodiment isapproximately the same as that of the first exemplary embodiment in thatthe display area is made up of triangular pixels, however, differs inthat a three-dimensional bypass intersection structure in which contactsare used for connection among wiring layers are employed.

According to the third exemplary embodiment, a display area (pixelarray) is configured as a multilayer wiring structure made up of anintermediate insulating layer (not shown) and of first and second wiringlayers (not shown) stacked in layers with the intermediate insulatinglayer interposed therebetween and, in the first wiring layer, the entirefirst conductor line 8 f and main portion (not intersected region) of asecond conductor line 9 f are formed and, in the second wiring layer,the entire third conductor line 10 f and non-main portion (intersectedregion) are formed. On an interlayer insulating layer, contacts H1 andH2 are formed, which connect the main portion (non-intersected portion)of the second conductor line group formed in the first wiring layer tothe non-main portion (intersected portion) of the second conductor linegroup formed in the second wiring layer. The contacts H1 and H2 may bemounted in the vicinity of the intersection point between the firstconductor line 8 f and third conductor line 10 f Moreover, in the thirdexemplary embodiment, it is needless to say that the second conductorlines 9 f are intersected by using the bypass, however, the presentinvention is not limited to this and the first conductor line 8 f or thethird conductor line 10 f may be intersected with each other by using abypass.

The first conductor lines 8 f of the first conductor line group arearranged in right and left directions of FIG. 26 and the main portion(non-intersected portion) of the second conductor lines 9 f belonging tothe second conductor line group are arranged along a left upwarddirection of FIG. 26. The third conductor lines 10 f belonging to thethird group are arranged along the right upward direction. Moreover, thenon-main portion (intersected region T) of the second conductor line 9 fis formed so as to have a length being short enough to straddle thefirst conductor line 8 f, toward a direction in which the secondconductor line 9 f does not contact with the third conductor line 10 fin the same wiring layer. The dimension, shape, and direction of thewiring of the non-main portion (intersected region T) of the secondconductor line 9 f are determined in a given manner by taking conditionsof manufacturing processes and/or designing into consideration. Thus, inthe third exemplary embodiment, in the region where the first conductorline 8 f intersects the second conductor line 9 f in the wiring layer,in order to avoid a collision between conductor lines, the secondconductor line 9 f is folded back through the contact H1 and, afterhaving passed the intersected region through a bypass, again is foldedback through the contact H2 toward the original first wiring layer.

Unlike the first exemplary embodiment in which the multilayer wiringfilms having three structures are required to perform wiring of variousconductor lines intersecting with one another, according to the thirdexemplary embodiment, two layer structure is enough, which enables thereduction of the number of wirings and wiring materials.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention isdescribed by referring to FIG. 27. The display device of the fourthexemplary embodiment is the same as that in the above exemplaryembodiments in that non-rectangular pixels are used, however, differs inthat a common electrode (therefore, common electrode line) is placed noton a facing substrate but on a substrate on an active element side. Anexample of the display device of this kind is an IPS (In-PlaneSwitching) liquid crystal display device configured to be operated by anelectric field in a direction being parallel to a substrate surface.

FIG. 27 is a wiring diagram showing wirings surrounding pixels making upthe display area of the IPS liquid crystal display device of the fourthexemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the display devicehaving such configurations, two types of pixels including a triangularpixel directed upward 7 m and a triangular pixel directed downward 7 nare mounted and, as shown in FIG. 27, the triangular pixel directedupward 7 m and triangular pixel directed downward 7 n are drivenrespectively by active elements 15 i and 15 j having polarities beingdifferent from each other. The active elements 15 i and 15 j arearranged in accordance with the arrangement in FIG. 19. That is, thetriangular pixel directed upward 7 m is driven by the active element 15i having the first polarity (in this configuration, as a P-channel type)and the triangular pixel directed downward 7 n is driven by the activeelement 15 j having the second polarity (in this configuration, as anN-channel type).

In the display area of the fourth exemplary embodiment, each of thetriangular pixel directed upward 7 m and triangular pixel directeddownward 7 n is surrounded by a gate line GE (first conductor line),common electrode line C (second conductor line), and data line DL (thirdconductor line), each forming a triangle. In each pixel, the commonelectrode line C is branched like the branch of a tree to form acomb-shaped common electrode CB, which is placed so as to face acomb-shaped pixel electrode PB in an engaged and paired manner. In suchconfigurations as above, a data signal on the data line DL is applied toa pixel electrode in a pixel through the active elements 15 i and 15 jaccording to a signal on the gate line GE (in accordance with the timechart in FIG. 20). The same potential is applied to each commonelectrode line C. An electric field is generated between the comb-shapedpixel electrode PB and comb-shaped common electrode CB and images aredisplayed by operating a liquid crystal molecular substance (electricoptical substance) using a horizontal electric field. Thus, in thefourth exemplary embodiment, approximately the same effect as in thefirst exemplary embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 27 shows the case where same potentials are applied to each commonelectrode line C, however, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, a first commonelectrode C1 and second common electrode C2, each receiving potentialsbeing different from each other may be arranged alternately. In thearrangement of common electrode lines as above, for example, electrodepotentials being different from one another can be applied according tothe polarity of each of the active elements 15 k and 15 m. That is, asshown in FIG. 29, the active element 15 k corresponding to the commonelectrode line C1 has the first polarity P and the active element 15 mcorresponding to the common electrode line C2 has the second polarity N.Therefore, common electrode potentials corresponding to polarity of theactive element can be applied to each pixel 7 p and 7 q.

According to the display device of the fourth exemplary embodiment, allthe first, second, and third conductor line groups are formed on thesubstrate on the active element side and, therefore, the display devicecan be applied to a display device essentially not requiring a facingsubstrate, for example, can be suitably applied to a non-rectangularorganic EL (electroluminescent display device). In the abovedescription, the IPS liquid crystal display device is used as theexample, however, the display device of the fourth exemplary embodimentcan be applied to other display devices in which the first, second, andthird conductor line groups are formed on the substrate on the activeelement side. Therefore, the display device of the fourth exemplaryembodiment can be suitably used in a liquid crystal display device of,for example, a FFS (Fringe Field Switching) mode. In the IPS modedisplay device, ordinarily, the common electrode CB and pixel electrodePB are formed on a layer having a same cross-sectional height and, dueto this, it is necessary that, for example, a contact is mounted betweenthe common electrode line C and common electrode CB to adjust theheight. In many cases, by mounting the contact with the active element15 i interposed between the data line DL and pixel electrode PB, noincrease in size of the contact occurs. On the other hand, in the FFSmode display device, each of the common electrode CB and pixel electrodePB is formed in layers different from each other. Owing to this, thecommon electrode CB exists downward in a cross-sectional direction andthe present invention is carried out irrespective of the structure ofthe contact.

Fifth Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 30 is a front view diagrammatically showing a structure of anon-rectangular display device of the fifth exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. The outer shape of a display area 3 a of thenon-rectangular display device 1 a of the fifth exemplary embodiment isthe same as that of the first exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 inthat the display area has a comma-shaped-bead-like shape, however,differs from the first exemplary embodiment in that a hollow hole (as athrough hole portion) 23 is formed in the comma-shaped-bead-like displayarea.

In the fifth exemplary embodiment, there are conductor lines which areinterrupted due to the existence of the hollow hole 23. To achievecomplete driving of various kinds of conductor line group, in the fifthexemplary embodiment, not only in the outer circumferential region of ona substrate 2 a but also in the inner circumferential region(circumferential region of the hollow hole 23), peripheral circuits aremounted. That is, all first conductor lines in the display area 3 a areconnected by a first peripheral circuit (first outer circumferentialcircuit 4 a) in an outer circumferential region and a first peripheralcircuit (first circumferential circuit 4 b) in an inner circumferentialregion. All second conductor lines in the display area 3 a are connectedby a second peripheral circuit (second outer circumferential circuit 5a) in the outer circumferential region and a second peripheral circuit(second circumferential circuit 5 b) in the inner circumferentialregion. All third conductor lines in the display area 3 a are connectedby a third peripheral circuit (third outer circumferential circuit 6 a)in the outer circumferential region and a third peripheral circuit(third circumferential circuit 6 b) in the inner circumferential region.Continuity of signals among the outer circumferential circuits 4 a, 5 a,and 6 a and inner circumferential circuits 4 b, 5 b, and 6 b aremaintained through connection wirings (not shown) to connect thesecircuits.

According to the fifth exemplary embodiment, by forming the hollow hole23 in the display area 3 a, a design-oriented display device providingsurprisingness, extravagantness, and aesthetic appreciation can beobtained. From a viewpoint of technology, the display device can besuitably applied to various applications. In addition, as shown in FIG.31, a string may be drawn through the hollow hole 23 for applications.Moreover, the hollow hole 23 may have a shape of a perfect circle,ellipse, triangle, rectangle, and polygon, and other various shapes(including Jordan shape) or a topographical pattern. The number ofhollow holes 23 may be not only single but also plural; in other words,an n-fold Jordan region (“n” is a natural number) may be formed. Acircular display device in which the size of the hollow hole 23 islarger than the display area may be formed. The approximately sameeffect as described above can be obtained by forming a non-display area,instead of the hollow hole.

In addition, in the case of the display device of this kind having anon-rectangular non-display region, an outer circumferential shape ofthe display area may be rectangular.

Sixth Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 32 is a front view diagrammatically showing a configuration of anon-rectangular display device of a sixth exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. In the non-rectangular display device 1 b of thesixth exemplary embodiment, in the vicinity (non-display area) of thehollow hole 23 of the display device 1 a of the fifth exemplaryembodiment (FIG. 30) is added a connecting portion 25 to connect outerdevices to wirings. Thus, according to the sixth exemplary embodiment,by drawing a string 24 (FIG. 31) through the hollow hole 23 and drawinga signal line through the string 23, the display device 1 b can beconnected using the connecting portion 25 formed in the vicinity of thehollow hole 23 and, therefore, the connecting portion 25 and/or signalline are inconspicuous or the connecting portion 25 is recognizable inappearance, which enables the non-rectangular display device 1 b havinga highly effective design result to be realized.

Seventh Exemplary Embodiment

The display device (not shown) of the seventh exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention is so configured as to transmit or receive signalswirelessly, instead of the use of the connecting portion 25 (FIG. 32) ofthe display device of the sixth exemplary embodiment to establishconnection through wire with the outer devices. In the seventh exemplaryembodiment, a signal transmitting portion to transmit and receivesignals to and from the outer device wirelessly, or power supply portionto supply power wirelessly may be mounted in a position of theconnecting portion 25 shown in FIG. 32, instead of the connectingportion 25. By configuring as above, there is no need for taking wiringsto establish connection with the string 24 (FIG. 31) into consideration,which further increases design freedom and, therefore, a display devicehaving high similarity between the outer shape of the display device andouter shape of the display area can be obtained. For example, apendant-shaped display device allowing the movement of a pendant and/ora highly design-oriented display device can be achieved. Moreover,according to the display device of the seventh exemplary embodiment, bymounting an antenna section on a rear of the display device, itsminiaturization can be achieved.

Eighth Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a decorativedevice in which a non-rectangular display device being an eighthexemplary embodiment of the present invention is embedded. A state isshown FIG. 33 in which a lid of the display device 26 is opened and itsinside portion can be seen. The display device 26, as shown in FIG. 33,is configured so that its main body 27 and its lid portion 28 have aheart-like shape and, at a bottom of the main body 27, the heart-shapeddisplay device 29 is housed and, when the lid portion 28 is opened, thedisplay device 29 appears. Thus, by applying the display device 29 ofthe eighth exemplary embodiment to such decorative devices as adecorative ornament, decorative container for women (for example, acompact for make-up, accessory box, or the like), outfitting (forexample, a pendant which hangs from a piece of jewelry, and the like),their functions and attractive appearance can be improved. Moreover, theheart-shaped display device may be mounted not on the main body side buton the lid portion side. The heart-shaped display device may be mountedon both the main body side and lid portion side. By mounting theheart-shaped display device which functions as a toilet mirror when animage is not being displayed, the function and attractive appearance ofthe compact for making-up can be improved. Further, by driving thedevice of the kind according to a wireless signal transmitting method orwireless power supply method (as in the seventh exemplary embodiment),functional design and design freedom can be further improved.

Ninth Exemplary Embodiment

FIGS. 34A and 34B are a perspective view showing an appearance of adecorative device in which a non-rectangular display device being aninth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is embedded. FIG.34A shows a state in which the decorative non-rectangular display device30 is opened and FIG. 34B shows a state in which the decorativenon-rectangular display device 30 is folded three-dimensionally. In thedecorative non-rectangular device 30, as shown in 34A and 34B, fourheart-shaped portions 31 a, 31 b, 31 c, and 31 d making up thenon-rectangular display device 30 are embedded. When the decorativedevice is opened, as shown in 34A, a state occurs in which a four-leafclover is seen. Each of the four heart-shaped portions 31 a, 31 b, 31 c,and 32 d makes up each leaf of the four-leaf clover. A different imagemay be displayed independently in each of the four heart-shaped portions31 a, 31 b, 31 c, and 31 d or each of images obtained by dividing oneimage into four images may be displayed in each of the heart-shapedportions 31 a, 31 b, 31 c, and 31 d. In the non-rectangular displaydevice of the ninth exemplary embodiment, three portions making up thedisplay device 30 shown by a dotted line or broken line extending from acenter of the display device shown in FIG. 34A are binding regions usedto bind the heart-shaped portions (31 d and 31 a, 31 a and 31 b, and 31b and 31 c) adjacent to one another in the right and left directions orup and down directions so that the display device 30 can be freelyfolded by being mounted on a flexible substrate or the like at thebinding regions. Moreover, portions shown by a solid line positioned inthe lower direction of FIGS. 34A and 34B are breaks and the right andleft heart-shaped portions (31 c and 31 d) of the display device 30 arenot bound to each other. The portions of the display device 30positioned in an upper portion of FIG. 34A can be folded, at the dottedline portion, in a rear direction in a mountain-folded manner. Theportions of the display device 30 directed to right and left directionscan be folded, at the broken line portion, in a valley-folded manner sothat surfaces of right and left portions of the display device 30overlap each other. When all portions of the display device 30 arefolded, the shape of the display device 30 changes from a clover-likeshape to a heart-like shape. When the shape is changed to the heart-likeshape, a state occurs in which two portions of the display device 30 outof the four portions of the display devices 31 a, 31 b, 31 c, and 31 dcan be seen. When a pendant or the like is formed in the state in whichthe display device 30 has a heart-like shape, the shape of the displaydevice 30 can be changed to be clover-like or to be three-dimensionallyintermediate, if necessary, which can provide an extremely effectivedesign result. Further, by driving the display device of this kindaccording to the wireless transmission method or wireless power supplymethod (as in the seventh exemplary embodiment), there is no need fortaking wired connection into consideration, functional design and designfreedom can be further improved.

Tenth Exemplary Embodiment

Next, a tenth exemplary embodiment is described by referring to FIG. 37.FIG. 37 is a diagram diagrammatically showing an arrangement of colorpixels in a display area making up a non-rectangular color displaydevice according to the tenth exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 38 to 42 are diagrams showing, in a simplified manner,some arrangements of color pixels in the display area of FIG. 37. In thecolor pixel arrays of the tenth exemplary embodiment, each of aplurality of non-rectangular pixels described in the above first toninth exemplary embodiments has a color out of a plurality of specifiedcolors (for example, red, green, and blue) for color display and thenon-rectangular unit pixel for the color display is formed by acombination of a plurality of color pixels. According to the tenthexemplary embodiment, color pixels can be arranged in a given manner bythe non-rectangular pixel with color pixels, however, to realize furtherhigher display quality, the number of same color pixels adjacent, in aline-like manner, to each color pixel are preferably set to be “1” or“0”. Hereinafter, by referring to FIGS. 37 to 42, a method of a typicalarrangement of pixels is described. Moreover, various wirings areapproximately the same as those in the above first to ninth exemplaryembodiments and their descriptions are omitted accordingly.

In FIG. 37, a display area (non-rectangular pixel array) 3 b configuredby using the same pixel arrangement as employed in the first exemplaryembodiment (FIG. 6) is shown in which each of triangular pixels(non-rectangular pixels) 7, 7, . . . , is used respectively as a redpixel 58 r, green pixel 58 g, or blue pixel 58 b, . . . and each of unitpixels 58 and 59 for color display is constructed of one combination ofthese color pixels. In the pixel arrangement configuration of thedisplay area 3 b, as shown in FIG. 37, the number of same color pixelsadjacent, in a line-like manner, to each of the triangular color pixelsis set to be “1” and each of the triangular color pixels 58 r, 58 g, and58 b is arranged in a state in which these color pixels 58 r, 58 g, and58 b are adjacent to one another with one side of the triangle making upthe pixel being shared with the same color pixel. That is, onecombination of the unit pixel is constructed of the two same colorpixels 58 r and 58 r, 58 g and 58 g, and 58 b and 58 b, with one side ofthe triangle making up the pixel being shared with the same colorpixels.

Here, the display area 3 b is made up of two kinds of unit pixels 58 and59 being not similar to each other which includes pixels providing colorinformation and is filled up with the unit pixels entirely. That is, inthe case of such unit pixels 58 and 59 as described above, color pixelsadjacent to one another are arranged so as to form translationalsymmetric structure in which no overlap occurs. Owing to this, even ifthere is inclination in a specific direction in an outer circumferentialportion of the display shape, no successive same colors appear. Forexample, when a pixel is seen from one wiring direction out of the threewiring directions, the pixel having the same color and similarity alwaysoccurs in every two colors or every three colors. Due to this, thepresumed three colors are mixed at all times, which can prevent aspecified color from being conspicuous. That is, color bleeding can bereduced.

FIG. 38 shows an example of a color pixel arrangement of three colorsand simplified color pixel arrangements corresponding to thearrangements in FIG. 37. In this pixel arrangement, a red pixel 60 r,green pixel 60 g, and blue pixel 60 b make up the unit pixels 60 and 61being not similar to each other. Each of the unit pixels 60 and 61 hasone of pixels having the same color being adjacent to each other withone side of a triangle making up the pixel being shared with each other.When a color pixel a side of a pixel triangle of which is adjacent to aside on an upper side of the broken line (wiring) in FIG. 38 is noted, ablue pixel 60 b being similar to a pixel “a” existing on a left side andto the described blue pixel 60 b and being adjacent to the broken line(wiring) 74 occurs in every three color pixels. According to thisconfiguration, a repetition pitch of the pixel having a similar shapeand same color is large and, therefore, even when a color pixel out ofthe unit pixels 60 and 61 is not partially used according to a displayshape or outer circumferential shape, a specified color is not displayedin a conspicuous manner.

FIG. 39 shows an example of another arrangement of color pixels 62 r, 62g, and 62 b according to the tenth exemplary embodiment. In thearrangement configuration, there are four kinds of patterns for a unitpixel. The unit pixels 62 and 64 are similar to each other not only insize but also in color and are overlapped when rotated at 180 degrees.Also, the unit pixels 65 and 63 are similar to each other not only insize but also in color and are overlapped when rotated at 180 degrees.On the other hand, the unit pixels 62 and 65 are not similar to eachother in color. In the arrangement configuration, unlike in the case ofFIG. 38, the color pixels one of sides of the pixel triangle of which isshared with each other and having the same color are the pixel having aspecific one color only, that is, in the exemplary embodiment, the greenpixels 62 g and 62 g only. When the broken line (wiring) 75 in FIG. 39is noted, the color pixel one side of a pixel triangle of which isshared with other pixel and being in contact with a lower side of thebroken line is the blue pixel 62 b having the same color as the pixel“b” in FIG. 39 which is shifted with one pitch from the pixel “b” andfrom the blue pixel 62 b described above. The pixel 62 b appears next ina position shifted by 6 pixels from the pixel “b” in FIG. 39. That is,unlike in the case of FIG. 38 in which there is only one repetitionpitch, in the case of FIG. 39, there are two repetition pitches. In thearrangement configuration shown in FIG. 39, pixels having the same colorand adjacent to each other with one side of a pixel triangle beingshared with each other is limited to the pixels having a specific onecolor (in the exemplary embodiment, green pixels 62 g and 62 g) and, onthe other hand, the shift pitch between pixels arranged in atranslational direction with one side of the pixel triangle being notshared with each other takes various values. The irregular color causedby adjacent pixels sharing a non-similar side with each other and havingthe same color is more reduced, while irregular color caused by pixelshaving near pitch and same color further increases when compared withthe case of FIG. 38. However, display characteristics are extremelyimproved compared with the conventional technologies.

FIG. 40 shows an example of still another arrangement configuration of acolor pixel of the tenth exemplary embodiment. In the arrangementconfiguration, as in the case of FIG. 38, two kinds of unit pixels beingdifferent from each other in color and shape are shown. Unlike in thecase of the arrangement configuration in FIG. 38 in which two kinds ofunit pixels 61 and 62 are arranged so as to completely overlay sides ofthe trapezoid forming the unit pixel, in the case of FIG. 40, sides ofthe trapezoid of the unit pixels 66 and 67 are not overlaid with eachother and a pitch of a color pixel is shifted by one pixel pitch. As aresult, the number of color pixels having the same color adjacent, in aline-like manner, to color pixels 66 r, 66 g, and 66 b is set to be “0”and the side of the triangle forming the pixel is not shared. On theother hand, when the broken line (wiring) 76 is noted, the color pixels(for example, “b” and “c”) sharing a side of a pixel triangle with thebroken line (wiring) 76 are arranged in a repeated manner in every pixelin a direction of the broken line (wiring) 76. Owing to this, theirregular color caused by adjacent pixels sharing a non-similar sidewith each other and having the same color disappears, while irregularcolor caused by pixels having near pitch and same color furtherincreases. However, display characteristics are extremely improvedcompared with the conventional technologies.

Next, an example is shown in FIG. 41 which there exist two or moreadjacent pixels 95 r, 95 g, and 95 b sharing a side of a pixel trianglewith each other. In the example, the color pixels are arranged in aslanted strap form. Due to this, irregular colors occur remarkably in aspecific direction. However, jaggies are reduced compared with theconventional technology.

In the above exemplary embodiments, the case in which the number ofcolors of the color pixel is mainly explained, however, the number ofcolors is not limited to three and any number is acceptable so long asthe number is plural. In FIG. 42, the example of the arrangement usingcolor pixels having four colors is shown. In the example, besides thered pixel 68 r, green pixel 68 g, and blue pixel 68 b, a white pixel 68w is added. Here, there are two patterns of the unit pixels 68 and 69.In the example, the unit pixel 68 and 69 have overlap similarity to eachother by rotational operation. In this arrangement configuration, colorpixels having the same color are not adjacent and share one side of apixel triangle. Further, color pixels having the same color existingwith one side of a pixel triangle contacted with one side portion of awiring appears in every two pixels. Owing to this, the irregular colorcaused by a specified color is unlikely to occur. In the exemplaryembodiment, the pixel is non-rectangular, however, its shape is notlimited to this and the pixel may be hexagonal, parallelogrammic or thelike.

Eleventh Exemplary Embodiment

Next, an eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention isdescribed by referring to FIGS. 43 and 44. FIG. 43 is a diagrampartially showing an arrangement configuration of a pixel arrayaccording to the eleventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 44 is a diagram partially showing another arrangement configurationof the pixel array of FIG. 43. The pixel array of the eleventh exemplaryembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, four kinds of non-rectangularsub-pixels 85 a, 85 b, 85 c, and 85 d exist. The sub-pixels 85 a and 85c, and sub-pixels 85 b and 85 d are similar to one another since thesesub-pixels overlap by being rotated. Each of the sub-pixels 85 a, 85 b,85 c, and 85 d has an active element 86. By changing the combination ofthe sub-pixels by driving the active element 86 according to displaycontents, desired pixel configuration, that is, rectangular ornon-rectangular pixel configuration can be selected alternatively. Forexample, for character display, a rectangular pixel configuration isselected and, for graphical display, non-rectangular pixel configurationis selected.

The configuration is described in detail by referring to FIG. 43. By thecombination of a trapezoidal sub-pixel 85 a and a triangular sub-pixel85 b making up a right side portion of the sub-pixel 85 a in FIG. 43,the non-rectangular pixel 87 (in the example, parallelogrammic pixel) isformed. Similarly, by the combination of a trapezoidal sub-pixel 85 cand a triangular sub-pixel 85 d making up a left side portion of thesub-pixel 85 c in FIG. 43, a non-rectangular pixel 88 (in the example,parallelogrammic pixel) is formed. Using these pixels 87 and 88,non-rectangular pixels can be suitably displayed. Also, by thecombination of a trapezoidal sub-pixel 85 a and a triangular sub-pixel85 b making up a left side portion of the sub-pixel 85 a in FIG. 43, anon-rectangular pixel 89 is formed. By the combination of the pixel 85 aand pixel 85 b, the rectangular pixel 89 is formed. By the combinationof a trapezoidal sub-pixel 85 c and a triangular sub-pixel 85 d makingup a right side portion of the sub-pixel 85 c in FIG. 43, therectangular pixel 90 is formed. By combining these pixels 89 and 90,rectangular pixel display at the time of character display can besuitably realized. This substitution of pixels can be realized byelectrically changing a signal to be applied to the active element 86and wirings and the change of the arrangement of pixels itself is notrequired. Therefore, the display method can be properly selectedaccording to contents.

FIG. 44 shows another arrangement configuration of the pixel array ofFIG. 43. The patterns of the arrangement of pixels are different inevery quadrant mainly in the center of FIG. 44. The arrangement ofsub-pixels 91 a, 91 b, 91 c, 91 d, 92 a, 92 b, 92 c, 92 d, 93 a, 93 b,93 c, 93 d, 94 a, 94 b, 94 c, and 94 d, except the arrangement of theactive element 86 and various wirings, can be obtained by folding allpixels over at a center of FIG. 44 in vertical and horizontaldirections. By configuring the pixels as above, in the non-rectangulardisplay, suitable inclination appears in each of four quadrants and,therefore, when the non-rectangular pixel having a comparativelysymmetric shape such as a hexagon is to be displayed, jaggies in anouter shape can be eliminated. Moreover, as in the case of FIG. 43, whencharacters are to be displayed, rectangular pixels can be used fordisplaying.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the invention is not limitedto these exemplary embodiments. It will be understood by those ofordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details maybe made therein without departing from the sprit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the claims. For example, in each of theexemplary embodiments and examples, the first, second, and thirdconductor lines are mounted on the same substrate, however, depending onkinds of the display devices, the first and second conductor lines maybe mounted on a first substrate and the third conductor line may bemounted on a second substrate. Further, in each of the exemplaryembodiments and examples, the first, second, third conductor lines aremounted on the same substrate, however, the use of the third conductorline may be discontinued and a virtual line may be used or the thirdconductor line may be used as an auxiliary conductor line or as aconductor line in a state of being suspended.

The present invention can be applied to portable devices and decorativeillumination devices.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-rectangular pixel array comprising: anon-display portion with no pixels and with a non-rectangular contourshape formed inside of said non-rectangular pixel array; and a pluralityof non-rectangular pixels so arranged that at least a first conductorline group comprising a plurality of first conductor lines and a secondconductor line group comprising a plurality of second conductor linesintersect with each other and so arranged as to be entirely or partiallysurrounded by one of said first conductor lines and one of the secondconductor lines, wherein said first conductor lines each comprises atleast a first line and a second line which are arranged in parallel andadjacent to each other, the non-display portion with no pixels comprisesa through hole portion, and a connecting portion to electrically connectto an outer device is formed in a vicinity of said through hole portion.2. A display device comprising a non-rectangular pixel array as setforth in claim 1, wherein an outer shape thereof is approximatelygeometrically similar to the outer circumferential shape of saidnon-rectangular pixel array.
 3. The display device according to claim 2,wherein a peripheral circuit to drive each of said conductor lines ismounted along the outer circumference of said pixel array outside saidpixel array.
 4. A non-rectangular pixel array comprising: a non-displayportion with no pixels and with a non-rectangular contour shape formedinside of said non-rectangular pixel array; and a plurality ofnon-rectangular pixels so arranged that a first conductor line groupcomprising a plurality of first conductor lines, a second conductor linegroup comprising a plurality of second conductor lines, and a thirdvirtual line group comprising a plurality of third virtual linesintersect with one another and so arranged as to be surrounded by one ofsaid first conductor lines, one of said second conductor lines, and oneof said third virtual lines, wherein said first conductor lines eachcomprises at least a first line and a second line which are arranged inparallel and adjacent to each other, said non-display portion with nopixels comprises a through hole portion, and a connecting portion toelectrically connect to an outer device is formed in a vicinity of saidthrough hole portion.
 5. A display device comprising a non-rectangularpixel array as set forth in claim 4, wherein an outer shape thereof isapproximately geometrically similar to the outer circumferential shapeof said non-rectangular pixel array.
 6. The display device according toclaim 5, wherein a peripheral circuit to drive each of said conductorlines is mounted along the outer circumference of said pixel arrayoutside said pixel array.
 7. A non-rectangular pixel array comprising: anon-display portion with no pixels and with a non-rectangular contourshape formed inside of said non-rectangular pixel array; and a pluralityof non-rectangular pixels so arranged that a first conductor line groupcomprising a plurality of first conductor lines, a second conductor linegroup comprising a plurality of second conductor lines, a thirdconductor line group comprising a plurality of third conductor linesintersect with one another, wherein said non-display portion with nopixels comprises a through hole portion, and a connecting portion toelectrically connect to an outer device is formed in a vicinity of saidthrough hole portion.
 8. A display device comprising a non-rectangularpixel array as set forth in claim 7, wherein an outer shape thereof isapproximately geometrically similar to the outer circumferential shapeof said non-rectangular pixel array.
 9. The display device according toclaim 8, wherein a peripheral circuit to drive each of said conductorlines is mounted along the outer circumference of said pixel arrayoutside said pixel array.